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James Worthy Picks Key X-Factors For The Lakers In 2026-27
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- James Worthy Picks Key X-Factors For The Lakers In 2026-27
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Much of the talk when it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers is unsurprisingly about Luka Doncic , Austin Reaves , and Walker Kessler . Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler are the Lakers' three best players, but they do ultimately need plenty of support from the role players. Who among them can step up and surprise in 2026-27?
Well, that was the question posed to Lakers legend and Spectrum SportsNet analyst James Worthy during an appearance on Byron Scott's Fast Break podcast.
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"Jake LaRavia changed his shot," Worthy said. "… He's very consistent with it. With his size and his ability to play multiple positions, he's got to be a key factor, I think. Some of the new guys like [Sandro Mamukelashvili]. Mamu, he's a X-factor. So if I had to choose two, I would choose those two, but [Quentin] Grimes and [Collin] Sexton or [Ziaire] Williams, those would be my other two.
"Because in today's league, you got to have somebody to go after some of these guards," Worthy continued. "… I mean, we got some good bigs, but when you're going after Jaylen Browns and the [Shai Gilgeous-Alexanders] and guys like that, you got to have some guys that can muster up like this brother here. Get in your face, taking up some of your oxygen.
"So a guy like Grimes would fit the mold, who can shoot the three as well," Worthy added. "And then anybody like Williams or Mamu. I think is going to be key."
Now, Sandro Mamukelashvili will struggle if you ask him to defend these superstar guards, but he is a quality offensive player. Mamukelashvili is averaging 7.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game for the Lakers in 2026-27. The Georgian big man is shooting 40.0% from three, and Worthy is expecting big things from him.
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Jake LaRavia was the first name Worthy brought up, and he has indeed altered his shot a bit. LaRavia shot just 32.1% from three for the Lakers last season, but is at 40.0% in this one. He is averaging 5.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in 2026-27.
Unlike Mamukelashvili, LaRavia can defend multiple positions, and so can Quentin Grimes and Ziaire Williams .
Williams earned one of the two starting spots next to Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler, and has done well. He is putting up 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game in 2026-27. Williams is shooting 41.7% from three, and a lot of these Lakers are shooting well.
Grimes was actually expected to be one of the starters, but he has had to settle for a bench role. He is averaging 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game in 2026-27. Grimes has been one of the Lakers' worst shooters at 37.5% from three-point range, which tells you how good the rest have been.
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Now, another former Laker, Danny Green, had also shared X-factors he believed could make the team dangerous . Green pointed to Mamukelashvili, Williams, and Collin Sexton .
Worthy mentioned Sexton as well, and he is averaging 9.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in 2026-27. He is only shooting 25.0% from three, but you'd expect that number to go up.
With their big guns firing and the role players making handy contributions from time to time, the Lakers are currently 3-0 this season. They have impressed, but they take on the 2-0 Portland Trail Blazers next at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET. This might be their toughest challenge yet of this young season.
